Percutaneous Transesophageal Gastric Catheters: A Single Institution Experience

Introduction: Critical patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) and contraindications to traditional percutaneous gastrostomy can benefit from percutaneous transesophageal gastric catheter (PTEG), a technique used for long-term venting or feeding.

Method(s): A retrospective electronic chart review at one institution identified all patients who underwent a procedure for placement of PTEG from December 2014 to October 2022. Patient data collected included demographics, technical success rate, complications, and median catheter life. Minor and major complications were graded as per the Clavien-Dindo Classification Algorithm. A total of 69 patients who underwent PTEG were included in the analysis.

Result(s): Primary technical success was achieved in 67 patients (97.1%) and failed in two patients. One major and 13 minor complications were reported. Median catheter life was 27.5 days (1–542) either due to patient death or catheter exchange, with 19 patients (27.5%) undergoing at least one exchange.

Conclusion(s): In this institutional experience, the largest in the US, PTEG was safe and feasible in patients who require long-term decompression and cannot receive conventional gastrostomy tube. Procedure illustrated promising safe results regarding patient`s symptoms and lifestyle. However, further future studies are required to prove its efficacy in comparison to other treatment modalities.

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023